Olivia Rodrigo surprised fans with the debut live performance of her new single, “Drop Dead”, when she joined fellow pop star Addison Rae at Coachella on Saturday.
Rae, 25, was playing to a huge audience at the music festival when she began a rendition of her 2025 single, “Headphones On”.
As the Grammy nominee sang the lyrics, “I compare myself to the new IT girl,” she looked over to another part of the stage to reveal Rodrigo.
The 23-year-old then joined Rae to finish “Headphones On” before the duo performed “Drop Dead”, which was released on Friday (17 April).
“Oh my god, I might drop dead,” Rae exclaimed, hugging Rodrigo.
“Drop Dead” is the lead single from the US pop star’s upcoming third solo album, You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, which she announced earlier this month.
She shared the news to Instagram with a shot of the album artwork, depicting Rodrigo swinging upside down in a pink dress.
“My third album… is out 12 June,” Rodrigo wrote. “I am so proud of this record and I can’t wait for you to hear it.”
You seem pretty sad… will mark Rodrigo’s first album since 2023’s Guts, which received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.
As usual, Coachella has been packed with surprise celebrity appearances.
Rodrigo’s cameo took place a day after Sabrina Carpenter brought out Madonna for a medley of hit songs “Like a Prayer” and “Vogue”, as well as a performance of a song from the pop icon’s forthcoming album Confessions II.
Justin Bieber returned for a rapturously received second headliner on Saturday night, bringing out Billie Eilish – a self-confessed “Belieber” who has long expressed her love of the Canadian pop star – as a surprise guest for his song “One Less Lonely Girl”.
Bieber also sang a duet with R&B star SZA of their hit collaboration “Snooze”.
According to Vogue, Bieber was paid a record-breaking $10m for his Coachella performances, while his slot triggered the “highest-ever” ticket demand.
Karol G is set to close the festival tonight with a final headline show.
